There are 34 Days left in the Maryland General Assembly.
A lot has happened in the past 2 months – so we want to get you caught up on the legislation we are supporting and help you get an understanding of the current landscape in Annapolis.
Police Accountability
Public Information Act
(Personnel and Investigatory Records – Law Enforcement)
HB 1221 / SB 1029
Would allow for investigatory files for police officers to be available to the public. Currently these files are prohibited from being released to the public.
Child Interrogation Protection Act (Protect Our Minors)
HB 624 / SB 593
Would require that when a child is interrogated by the police that their parents are notified and required that legal representation present.
Anton’s Law
HB 1090 / SB 1066
This bill has a combination of police reform measures that include changes to the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBR) that prohibit outside entities from being involved in the internal investigations of law enforcement.
Community Oversight and Accountability Commission of Baltimore City
SB 972
Would create more independence and power for the Baltimore City Civilian Review Board to do investigations of police misconduct.
Use of Force (Law Enforcement)
HB 1309
Lays out standard policy for Law Enforcement regarding legitimate use of force for law enforcement officers.
Public Safety
Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Fund and Advisory Council
HB 822 / SB 708
Expands an existing program that requires the Governor to fund violence prevention programs.
Marijuana Legalization
Cannabis Legalization
HB 1400
Legalizes the consumption and distribution of recreational cannabis. LBS’s focus would be on the tax revenues going to the communities most impacted on the war on drugs.
Medical Cannabis Business Development Fund
HB 416
Creates a funding mechanism for a “minority” business fund that is supported through 2% of the existing taxes on medical cannabis.
Oppose Gov. Hogans Crime Package
The Judicial Proceedings Committee is currently considering Gov. Hogan’s crime bill – SB 273 – which contains sentence enhancements. This is the same failed policy that cast a wider net of mass incarceration, but no evidence that this will stop violence in Baltimore.
Urge the committee to vote no on SB 273
Podcast
Don’t forget to listen to our podcast on this years session – “From the Streets to the Statehouse“.